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Diverted Heart
Texas summers are no doubt some of the hottest you'll find. The heat encountered during this summer is not at all what Taylor bargained for. She's at a crossroads between childhood and womanhood, rummaging through the emotions of first love versus passion. Two young men tangle a web of needs and desires in her heart. The summer before college begins, Taylor is thrust from her childhood home in Houston to an inherited family farm on the outskirts of Schulenburg, Texas.
Eric, her first love, has gone states away to play college football. Low-spirited and merely trying to get through an expectantly boring summer, she is nearly run off the road by her new country neighbor, Maxwell. Ruggedly handsome, devilishly charming, and everything Taylor seeks to avoid, Maxwell does something to her emotions she's struggling desperately to interpret, as they spend the summer filled with each other. Boundaries are tested and the scales of lust tip despite hesitations. A final decision must be made. Did she ever truly love Eric? Is Maxwell simply a lustful thought, or is there more to uncover beneath the surface? One thing is for certain, this summer will change Taylor in every possible mind, body, and soul.
Eric, her first love, has gone states away to play college football. Low-spirited and merely trying to get through an expectantly boring summer, she is nearly run off the road by her new country neighbor, Maxwell. Ruggedly handsome, devilishly charming, and everything Taylor seeks to avoid, Maxwell does something to her emotions she's struggling desperately to interpret, as they spend the summer filled with each other. Boundaries are tested and the scales of lust tip despite hesitations. A final decision must be made. Did she ever truly love Eric? Is Maxwell simply a lustful thought, or is there more to uncover beneath the surface? One thing is for certain, this summer will change Taylor in every possible mind, body, and soul.
- GenresNew Adult
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2015
336 people want to read
About the author
Beth Ann Stifflemire
11 books31 followersBeth Ann is a wife, mother, blogger and book lover from Texas. Her passion is writing stories that draw a reader into a world where they can become the characters and experience a gamut of emotions. When she's not writing, she love's to be home with her family and two yellow labs. In addition she's a sucker for super sappy romance movies, loves trying out Texas wines, is an avid hot tea drinker and enjoys checking items off of her ever-growing bucket list.
She has numerous book projects on the horizon including Fiction Romance in both Contemporary and New Adult.
Connect with Beth at:
Twitter: @basauthor
Facebook: facebook.com/bastifflemire
Her Author Site: http://www.bethannstifflemire.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 5, 2017
A cute emotional journey as a young lady navigates through her first time being in love . I'm not really New Adult reader , but this story was well written and I enjoyed it .
September 14, 2015
**A copy of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest
review**
My Rating: 3.5 Coffee Cups
So, I really enjoyed this story. It wasn't my typical gut wrenching angsty. It was a solid story, with great characters and a sweet coming of age story line. It was a great, heartwarming book that gave me a nice reprieve from the darker reads I've been stuck on lately.
Taylor, the summer before she goes off to college is forced to leave everything and everyone she knows. Her uncle passes away leaving her family his generations old farmland in the deep country of Schulenburg, Texas (and yes, I'm a geek and looked it up- it's a real place with a 2700-ish population!). Her, her father, stepmom and little brother pack it up and move from Houston there only days after Taylor's high school love Eric moved to Kansas to play college football. Taylor is depressed, a little perturbed and more than a little bit bored out of her skull. Until literally almost being run over by the only human her age in a 10 mile radius. Maxwell. Gorgeous, in a country boy kinda way, a big old flirt and exceptionally funny and kind. And setting off butterflies in her belly that most certainly shouldn't be there considering she and Eric are in love and actively trying to maintain their relationship despite the distance.
Taylor tries avoiding him, she tries being bitchy towards him and then she eventually gives in. Whether it be because of lack of companionship or his persistence or simply because she enjoys spending time with him, she and he enter into a somewhat shaky friendship. Shaky in the sense that Maxwell wants more and he is doing absolutely nothing to hide that fact. Now, don't get me wrong he isn't being disrespectful to her relationship with Eric and outright pursuing her, but he definitely isn't hiding his interest in her. But it's more than that. He is trying to get to know her. Who she truly is and what she truly enjoys. And in this she begins to discover herself.
As she gets closer to Maxwell she finds herself drifting further and further away from Eric. Their daily phone calls become more like weekly phone calls and their constant text messages become less frequent. Taylor begins to question everything she thought her love was based on.
This is a story about young love, growing up into the person your meant to become and whether your past can grow into your future with you or whether you need to let it go.
Excerpt included on full review and blog post over on The Book Cafe
review**
My Rating: 3.5 Coffee Cups
So, I really enjoyed this story. It wasn't my typical gut wrenching angsty. It was a solid story, with great characters and a sweet coming of age story line. It was a great, heartwarming book that gave me a nice reprieve from the darker reads I've been stuck on lately.
Taylor, the summer before she goes off to college is forced to leave everything and everyone she knows. Her uncle passes away leaving her family his generations old farmland in the deep country of Schulenburg, Texas (and yes, I'm a geek and looked it up- it's a real place with a 2700-ish population!). Her, her father, stepmom and little brother pack it up and move from Houston there only days after Taylor's high school love Eric moved to Kansas to play college football. Taylor is depressed, a little perturbed and more than a little bit bored out of her skull. Until literally almost being run over by the only human her age in a 10 mile radius. Maxwell. Gorgeous, in a country boy kinda way, a big old flirt and exceptionally funny and kind. And setting off butterflies in her belly that most certainly shouldn't be there considering she and Eric are in love and actively trying to maintain their relationship despite the distance.
Taylor tries avoiding him, she tries being bitchy towards him and then she eventually gives in. Whether it be because of lack of companionship or his persistence or simply because she enjoys spending time with him, she and he enter into a somewhat shaky friendship. Shaky in the sense that Maxwell wants more and he is doing absolutely nothing to hide that fact. Now, don't get me wrong he isn't being disrespectful to her relationship with Eric and outright pursuing her, but he definitely isn't hiding his interest in her. But it's more than that. He is trying to get to know her. Who she truly is and what she truly enjoys. And in this she begins to discover herself.
As she gets closer to Maxwell she finds herself drifting further and further away from Eric. Their daily phone calls become more like weekly phone calls and their constant text messages become less frequent. Taylor begins to question everything she thought her love was based on.
This is a story about young love, growing up into the person your meant to become and whether your past can grow into your future with you or whether you need to let it go.
Excerpt included on full review and blog post over on The Book Cafe
January 17, 2017
Review originally posted on my blog: I Heart Fictional People
INITIAL THOUGHTS
The cover is what initially got my attention. It just gives the feeling that this is going to be a sweet romance, which I am ALWAYS in the mood for. Then, I read the book blurb. Some people may hate love triangles, but I actually love them. So, yeah, I HAD to read it.
WHAT I LIKED
The plot. I really like stories where a woman has to decide if she belongs with her first love or a new love. Depending on the story, it can go either way. In this one, Taylor loves her high school sweetheart, Eric, who she is currently in a long-distance relationship with, but she is also falling for her new neighbor, Max. And I very much enjoyed seeing her conflicting emotions, which were so realistic. She is growing up and moving on with her life and must decide if Eric is part of her future or if he is just part of her past. And I think we all reach that point some time in our lives. For many of us, our first loves are just that: our first loves. But, for the rest of us, our first loves end up being our one true loves. So I just loved that this felt so authentic, like it could happen to any of us…and probably has for a lot of us.
The ending. I will not give anything away. But I will say that it was PERFECT. No, I am not exaggerating. If I could imagine an amazingly flawless conclusion to this book, that would’ve been it. And I am so, so happy that it ended that way. Kudos to the author!
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
It felt rushed. My eBook copy of the book is only 125 pages, which is usually too short for a full-length novel in my opinion. But I kept an open mind. However, it did feel way too rushed for me. There were certain scenes that I just wanted more of. I wanted more detail and more dialogue. I think that would’ve helped me feel more connected to the book and the characters.
Not enough depth. This goes hand-in-hand with what I said in the previous paragraph. I just felt like I didn’t know these characters. I wanted to know them more, which would have helped me care more about them. Yes, I cared about them to a certain extent, but I like feeling so attached that I cannot put the book down, which didn’t really happen here. I think if we had more background information or just more details about their lives and more emotions, I would’ve liked it a lot more.
Max vs. Maxwell. Okay, this is a very minor complaint, but it kind of annoyed me. Taylor calls him Maxwell, but in her head, she calls him Max. I wanted it to be more consistent. Choose one or the other, chick!
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I liked the book, but I just wish it was longer with more details and depth. I wanted to be pulled into this story. I wanted it to give me the feels. While the romance was sweet and realistic, I wanted more! BUT, this is definitely an author I will keep my eye on. I enjoyed the story, and I know I would enjoy other books by her. So, in conclusion, give this one a try. If for nothing else, for that ending! I want all the books I read to have a perfect ending like that. Now I’m spoiled :)
*I received an eBook copy of this book from the publisher via Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review*
INITIAL THOUGHTS
The cover is what initially got my attention. It just gives the feeling that this is going to be a sweet romance, which I am ALWAYS in the mood for. Then, I read the book blurb. Some people may hate love triangles, but I actually love them. So, yeah, I HAD to read it.
WHAT I LIKED
The plot. I really like stories where a woman has to decide if she belongs with her first love or a new love. Depending on the story, it can go either way. In this one, Taylor loves her high school sweetheart, Eric, who she is currently in a long-distance relationship with, but she is also falling for her new neighbor, Max. And I very much enjoyed seeing her conflicting emotions, which were so realistic. She is growing up and moving on with her life and must decide if Eric is part of her future or if he is just part of her past. And I think we all reach that point some time in our lives. For many of us, our first loves are just that: our first loves. But, for the rest of us, our first loves end up being our one true loves. So I just loved that this felt so authentic, like it could happen to any of us…and probably has for a lot of us.
The ending. I will not give anything away. But I will say that it was PERFECT. No, I am not exaggerating. If I could imagine an amazingly flawless conclusion to this book, that would’ve been it. And I am so, so happy that it ended that way. Kudos to the author!
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
It felt rushed. My eBook copy of the book is only 125 pages, which is usually too short for a full-length novel in my opinion. But I kept an open mind. However, it did feel way too rushed for me. There were certain scenes that I just wanted more of. I wanted more detail and more dialogue. I think that would’ve helped me feel more connected to the book and the characters.
Not enough depth. This goes hand-in-hand with what I said in the previous paragraph. I just felt like I didn’t know these characters. I wanted to know them more, which would have helped me care more about them. Yes, I cared about them to a certain extent, but I like feeling so attached that I cannot put the book down, which didn’t really happen here. I think if we had more background information or just more details about their lives and more emotions, I would’ve liked it a lot more.
Max vs. Maxwell. Okay, this is a very minor complaint, but it kind of annoyed me. Taylor calls him Maxwell, but in her head, she calls him Max. I wanted it to be more consistent. Choose one or the other, chick!
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I liked the book, but I just wish it was longer with more details and depth. I wanted to be pulled into this story. I wanted it to give me the feels. While the romance was sweet and realistic, I wanted more! BUT, this is definitely an author I will keep my eye on. I enjoyed the story, and I know I would enjoy other books by her. So, in conclusion, give this one a try. If for nothing else, for that ending! I want all the books I read to have a perfect ending like that. Now I’m spoiled :)
*I received an eBook copy of this book from the publisher via Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review*
September 21, 2015
It's the beginning of the summer and Taylor and her family are moving from Houston to out in the middle of no where. Taylor is expecting to have a very boring summer doing nothing. She is going to be starting college in the fall. Her boyfriend Eric has already left for his college. He started in the summer. He is going to to college in Kansas on a football scholarship and all his family has gone there. Taylor is going to A&M.Taylor meets her neighbor Maxwell while out on a run. He is hot but irritates her. She wants nothing to do with him. She has a boyfriend but he offers some entertainment in a place with nothing to do. And her parents encourage her to get out. This ends up with her having feelings she can't seem to sort out. She loves Eric but he is so far away. Her attraction to Maxwell is growing and she feels so comfortable with him.
This was a very fast read it was such a good book. I was disappointed when it ended I was enjoying it so much. I feel the author did a great job on expressing the feelings of an 18 year old. Being in love so young can be confusing and sometimes your not sure what you want. I really enjoyed the character's and how they interacted with each other. I would definitely like to read another book by this author. I would recommend this book to a YA reader who enjoys romance.
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and authors that Rock.
This was a very fast read it was such a good book. I was disappointed when it ended I was enjoying it so much. I feel the author did a great job on expressing the feelings of an 18 year old. Being in love so young can be confusing and sometimes your not sure what you want. I really enjoyed the character's and how they interacted with each other. I would definitely like to read another book by this author. I would recommend this book to a YA reader who enjoys romance.
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and authors that Rock.
July 7, 2015
Diverted Heart
By: Beth Ann Stifflemire
I really enjoyed Diverted Heart, Beth Stifflemire has written a very heart warming story about a young girl who is just coming of age. Beth does not disappoint me, I loved the story and the characters. Taylor is a young girl who will soon start to college , and is in love with a football player who goes off to college. Does long distance relationships work out? Taylor is not fond of the family move to Texas. She will be so bored, what will she do? Maxwell a young man who is in college in Texas meets Taylor . She is confused , she loves Eric, but Maxwell is so considerate of her and her family. Is she cheating on Eric if she sees Maxwell, but she is in love with Eric. This is a love story about a young girl who is confused about her life . I loved Taylor’s story and at times I felt sorry for her and other times I wanted to tell her to wake up. Be sure and get your copy of Diverted Heart and read Taylor’s story.
By: Beth Ann Stifflemire
I really enjoyed Diverted Heart, Beth Stifflemire has written a very heart warming story about a young girl who is just coming of age. Beth does not disappoint me, I loved the story and the characters. Taylor is a young girl who will soon start to college , and is in love with a football player who goes off to college. Does long distance relationships work out? Taylor is not fond of the family move to Texas. She will be so bored, what will she do? Maxwell a young man who is in college in Texas meets Taylor . She is confused , she loves Eric, but Maxwell is so considerate of her and her family. Is she cheating on Eric if she sees Maxwell, but she is in love with Eric. This is a love story about a young girl who is confused about her life . I loved Taylor’s story and at times I felt sorry for her and other times I wanted to tell her to wake up. Be sure and get your copy of Diverted Heart and read Taylor’s story.
October 14, 2015
This was a very easy and quick read. It was a wonderful love story. The characters were great and the story was very well written. This book kept my attention and I felt that I was right there with them and it brought forth my feelings, which I know I say a lot..I guess I am just a very sensitive person! I will certainly be recommending this book to others and I look forward to reading more from this author.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.*
October 30, 2016
This story certainly delivers as promised, a light-hearted romance that is aimed at a New Adult audience. It is carefully edited although the writing is very pedestrian. In terms of plot, love triangle, girl separated from her "hot' boyfriend by distance only to be tempted by another appropriately 'hot' boy; struck me as unoriginal and somewhat cliched. That said this is a quick read that demands little from the reader and will be a solid choice for those moments when you just need something light to fill some time. Not going to change the world but it is what it is.
August 25, 2015
~ Nic's Review ~
I was given a complimentary book for my honest opinion.
This was a very easy and quick read. It was a lovely story of a young couple falling in love. The character build was nicely done and was very well written. This book kept my attention and pulled some emotions from me that I wasn't expecting. I will definately be recommending this book to others as I know they will enjoy it as much as I did. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I was given a complimentary book for my honest opinion.
This was a very easy and quick read. It was a lovely story of a young couple falling in love. The character build was nicely done and was very well written. This book kept my attention and pulled some emotions from me that I wasn't expecting. I will definately be recommending this book to others as I know they will enjoy it as much as I did. I look forward to reading more from this author.
June 28, 2016
Diverted Heart is such a sweet love story. Beth Ann's writing style of bringing the bittersweet love stories to life creates a beautiful refuge from the real world.
Diverted Heart characters Taylor and Maxwell present a growth dynamic not often seen in the books I read. Taylor's growth from young adult to a woman unfolds between the written pages.
The story is heartwarming and kind. You will enjoy this read.
Don't forget to leave a review of your own.
Diverted Heart characters Taylor and Maxwell present a growth dynamic not often seen in the books I read. Taylor's growth from young adult to a woman unfolds between the written pages.
The story is heartwarming and kind. You will enjoy this read.
Don't forget to leave a review of your own.
September 2, 2016
I received this book as a goodreads giveaway. I started this book and decided it wasn't worth my time to finish it. I'm pretty careful about the types of romance novels I enter giveaways for and I thought this one would be cute. However, as I skimmed through the rest of the book after reading about the first 80 pages that weren't that great I found that the story was definitely going to be ruined for me by delving into the characters' sex lives, however nondescript.
August 25, 2015
This was a very easy and quick read. It was a lovely story of a young couple falling in love. The character build was nicely done and was very well written. This book kept my attention and pulled some emotions from me that I wasn't expecting. I will definately be recommending this book to others as I know they will enjoy it as much as I did. I look forward to reading more from this author.
September 28, 2016
Given an ARC in return for a honest review.
I enjoyed this book for the most part. It was a cute read about a young girl just trying to figure out love. The story line was believable and I enjoyed following the budding friendship between Max and Taylor.
I enjoyed this book for the most part. It was a cute read about a young girl just trying to figure out love. The story line was believable and I enjoyed following the budding friendship between Max and Taylor.
March 24, 2015
--Actual rating 4.5 Skulls
A wonderfully written coming of age love story with enough steamy moments to rival a Texas July. Diverted Heart will make you feel young again.
A wonderfully written coming of age love story with enough steamy moments to rival a Texas July. Diverted Heart will make you feel young again.
October 12, 2016
A lovely read nice and easy didnt want to put it down a recommended read i loved it
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews